News Archive

Nancy Green became one of the first prosperous African American women in the U.S. Green was born enslaved in Montgomery County, Kentucky, in 1834. While in Kentucky she worked for the Walker family, and moved with them to Chicago just after the Great Fire, in 1872. Eight years later, Nancy Green became "Aunt Jemima."

Samantha and Regina love everything about motors. Samantha loves the outdoors and motorbikes, four wheelers, and side-by-sides. With her love of off-roading, scaling-the-side-of-hills adventurous spirit, she is earning a degree in Automotive Technology at Mayo Campus. Regina loves lightning- fast cars and a quarter-mile strip. She loves the sleek lines and aerodynamics of a dragster or a "digger", and she, too, is earning a degree in Automotive Technology at Mayo Campus.

A native daughter of Appalachia, of coal miners and immigrant theologians, Greta Heintzelman Slone is rooted in eastern Kentucky--by birth and by choice. The love of her own culture, her heart's focus upon people, was nurtured through an extended family of servant-leaders who provoked her to learn deeply, teach tirelessly, and work vigorously for self-fulfillment.

On the second floor of the Campbell Science Building on the Prestonsburg campus of BSCTC there is a 125-gallon aquarium that has been meticulously maintained by Mathematics professor Dwight Smith for over twenty years! If you've ever own an aquarium of any size, you will understand the dedication and work that goes into creating a healthy underwater environment in which life can thrive.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) recently recognized Drs. Gopal and Mina Majmundar at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals KY, Bluegrass Chapter.
The annual event honors philanthropists and volunteers in our region who truly make a difference.
Dr. Zylka, President of BSCTC stated, "We are honored to be the focus of the generosity of Drs. Gopal and Mina Majmundar. Their unwavering support and insight has provided excellence within our student body and college."
Drs. Gopal and Mina Majmundar moved to the United States from India in the early 1970s. Dr. Gopal operates a successful pediatric and family medicine practice. His wife, Dr. Mina, is now a retired anesthesiologist of more than thirty years. Dr. Mina currently serves as a member of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors. They raised two daughters in Martin, Kentucky, Dr. Mamata Majmundar and Dr. Monica Majmundar Sheth.
Since 2014, Drs. Gopal and Mina Majmundar have awarded a scholarship in their namesake to the top two Associate Degree Nursing and Licensed Practical Nursing students at graduation.
They recently established the Drs. Gopal, Mina, Mamata, and Monica Majmundar Family Endowed Scholarship, which benefits first generation college students and encourages students to complete their degrees. The scholarship is renewable for their second year of college.

The new old ways are coming back to the mountain folks of eastern Kentucky. It's the best practices of the hardest days when our ancestors gardened, canned, butchered, and lived based upon their own genius, determination, and brawn. Now, fast forward to 2019. This is a day when we value those old ways that are blurry daydreams coming from our ancient and modern past.

Rachelle Burchett determined to attend BSCTC after she began her family. In fact, as a non-traditional student, she was featured in an advertising campaign entitled "Three Good Reasons to Go Back to School" that denoted her three beautiful young sons in the campaign. However, Rachelle's story was more than billboard-worthy. It was real and powerful and based upon a familiar desire to teach through actions. To become a role model is perhaps one of the highest callings in this life, and Rachelle embraced the possibility that she would reflect self-determined growth to her sons.

Professor and Counselor Elizabeth M. Cole of Big Sandy Community and Technical College has been awarded a professional development scholarship from the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC). Professor Cole will receive $500 to advance the professional identity and development of CCE credential holders.